When you know winter is approaching, you must ensure your home is ready to handle the cold weather. Winterizing your home will increase your chances of keeping your utility bills low while maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout the coldest months.
Use these 5 pro tips from the experienced team at Rowland Air to get your home ready for winter:
1. Change the Air Filters
One critical tip to remember when prepping your HVAC system for winter is to change your air filters. These filters are crucial to keeping dust, dirt, and other debris out of the air you breathe.
However, as they do their job and collect debris, your HVAC system begins to work less efficiently. Furthermore, dirty air filters also affect your indoor air quality. At Rowland Air, we recommend replacing or cleaning your air filters regularly. Making this a part of your HVAC winterization checklist is an easy way to ensure this gets done.
2. Clean and Open the Air Vents
Inspect all the air vents to ensure they are completely opened and clean. If anything is blocking them, move the items to ensure nothing obstructs the airflow. While completing the inspection, clean any built-up dirt and dust from the air vents and register covers.
You can use a damp rag or cloth with water or a nontoxic solution to wipe down the surfaces. When the vents are clean, the airflow is less restricted, and the air quality improves.
3. Prepare the Outdoor HVAC Equipment
Another tip to remember is to prepare the outdoor components of your HVAC system. This step starts with cleaning the exterior unit, including removing any leaves or dirt stuck to its fins. Trim back any trees, grass, or bushes to prevent damage to the outdoor components.
Covering your HVAC system isn’t an essential part of winterization — however, placing a cover over it will protect it from rust, ice, and additional wear brought on by the winter weather.
4. Replace Weather Stripping
Check the weather stripping around your doors or windows annually to ensure it’s still in good condition. Skipping this step increases the chances that it will be missing or damaged, allowing warm air to escape through to gaps.
Replace damaged or aged weather stripping yearly during your home winterization. Don’t forget to close each door and look for light coming in underneath. If you see any, consider installing a door sweep or raising the threshold to prevent cold air from coming inside.
5. Schedule Repairs Promptly
Perhaps the most critical tip for winterizing your home is scheduling prompt repairs for your heating system. Technicians from a reputable HVAC company will provide all the necessary care you need to prepare your furnace for the upcoming cold weather. They’ll also make any recommendations for future care your system will require.
During the service appointment, they may provide tips to make your furnace more energy efficient as your usage increases.
Getting a visit from a reliable Rowland Air HVAC technician is an excellent place to start. This approach will help prevent your system from malfunctioning and leading to more significant problems in the future.